(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Coming into the 2023-24 NBA regular season, the New Orleans Pelicans were a team to watch in the Western Conference, with the squad finally being healthy and everyone wondering whether the franchise could finally take it to another level.
So far, the Pelicans have produced mixed results, with the team hovering above .500 with a record of 10-9, but the potential to be a great team remains a realistic possibility as long as they can stay healthy while playing at a high level.
One of the team’s pleasant surprises this season has been the emergence of rookie Jordan Hawkins, who has proven to be a solid role player and shooter for the squad.
Along with starting to make some noise in the Big Easy, Hawkins earned high praise from Los Angeles Clippers superstar Paul George on his podcast.
“He’s got like the Michael Redd, young Ray Allen [game]. Just sharpshooter.”
Jordan Hawkins is a rookie on the rise for New Orleans pic.twitter.com/jUlymUlOT6
— Podcast P with Paul George (@PodcastPShow) November 30, 2023
Hawkins has only played 19 games in the NBA thus far for the Pelicans, but he’s already gotten some admirable comparisons to players who came before him with similar skill sets.
George believes that Hawkins is like a combination of former Milwaukee Bucks guard Michael Redd and Hall of Famer Ray Allen when he was young with the franchise in Wisconsin.
Hawkins is currently averaging 13.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game, shooting 39.6% from the floor and 37.1% from beyond the arc.
With veteran guard CJ McCollum returning to the floor for the Pelicans, it’ll be interesting to see how Hawkins’ role changes and if he’s played well enough to keep having a sizable role in the rotation moving forward.
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